-Amid Abandonment and Poverty
By Shallon S. Gonlor / shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
Nimba County, Liberia* – Three disabled children, abandoned by their struggling single mother and neglected by their biological fathers, have been forced to live on the streets of Sanniquellie City, begging for food and shelter to survive.
The children—Wuo Tokpah, Alphanso Tokpah, and Saye Tokpah, residents of the **Vehyipa Community, were born healthy but later developed severe illnesses that left them disabled. With no clear cause identified for their conditions, the siblings now face a life of hardship, discrimination, and vulnerability.
A Life of Desperation
On Monday afternoon, **Alphanso Tokpah**, believed to be 14 years old, was seen sitting in his wheelchair on the central street of Sanniquellie City, pleading with passersby for money to buy food. In an emotional interview, Alphanso revealed the harsh realities of their lives.
“Poverty, lack of food, and the absence of support from family and humanitarian organizations have forced us onto the streets,” he said. “We often went to bed hungry at home, and now we are here, trying to survive.”
The children’s mother, Kou Tokpah had been their sole caregiver after their fathers abandoned the family decades ago. However, overwhelmed by the challenges of providing for three disabled children without resources or support, she too was forced to leave them to fend for themselves.
Alphanso and his brothers face not only physical challenges but also societal discrimination and stigmatization due to their disabilities. “People look at us differently because of our condition,” Alphanso shared. “It’s hard for us to access basic rights like education and healthcare.”
The children’s plight is further compounded by their vulnerability to exploitation and violence. Without a safe place to call home, they are exposed to the dangers of street life, including unsafe living conditions and the risk of abuse.
Calls for Safe Shelters and Support
Alphanso emphasized the urgent need for safe shelters and support systems for disabled street children. “Creating safe spaces for children like us would limit our risk of harm and improve our health,” he said. He also called for resources to help families caring for disabled children, noting that such support could alleviate the stress, grief, and isolation experienced by parents.
“Our mother tried her best, but she couldn’t do it alone. There should be resources to help parents manage the challenges of caring for a disabled child,” Alphanso added.
The circumstances that led the Tokpah siblings to the streets are complex and multifaceted. Factors such as parental abandonment, poverty, and the withdrawal of humanitarian support have left them without a safety net.
A former sponsor of the children, who spoke on condition of anonymity, highlighted the denial of their basic rights, including access to quality education. “Education is the most effective way to enable street children to reintegrate into society,” the sponsor said. “Yet, these children are denied even that.”
The Tokpah siblings now spend their days and nights on the streets, moving from place to place, sleeping in abandoned buildings, and relying on the kindness of strangers for food. “We have no home except the street,” Alphanso said. “We are here, asking people with humanity to help us survive.”
Their story is a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic solutions to address the plight of disabled and vulnerable children in Liberia. Without immediate intervention, children like Wuo, Alphanso, and Saye will continue to face a life of hardship and exclusion.
As the Tokpah siblings struggle to survive, their story underscores the importance of collective action to protect and support Liberia’s most vulnerable. Safe shelters, access to education and healthcare, and resources for families caring for disabled children are critical steps toward ensuring that no child is left to fend for themselves on the streets.
